James Payn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Payn
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James Payn, by W. & D. Downey, carbon print on card mount, 1890.
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| Born | 28 February 1830 near Maidenhead, Berkshire, England
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| Died | 25 March 1898 (aged 68) Maida Vale, London, England
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| Alma mater | Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) | Louisa Adelaide Edlin |
James Payn (pronounced "pane"; born February 28, 1830 – died March 25, 1898) was an English writer and editor. He was known for his many novels and for editing popular magazines. These included Chambers's Journal in Edinburgh and the Cornhill Magazine in London.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Payn was born near Maidenhead, England, in 1830. His father, William Payn, worked for the Thames Commissioners. James first went to Eton College, a famous school.
After Eton, he joined the Military Academy at Woolwich. However, his health was not good enough for a military career. So, in 1847, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was very popular among his friends. He even became the president of the Cambridge Union Society, a debating club.
Before college, James had already started writing. He published some poems in a journal by James Henry Leigh Hunt. While still a student, he released a book called Stories from Boccaccio in 1852. He also published a collection of Poems in 1853.
Family Life and Marriage
Soon after leaving Cambridge, James Payn met and married Louisa Adelaide Edlin. She was born around 1830 or 1831. Louisa was the sister of Judge Sir Peter Edlin.
James and Louisa had nine children together. Their third child, Alicia Isabel, later married George Earle Buckle. He became the editor of The Times newspaper.
Career as a Writer and Editor
After college, James Payn moved to the Lake District National Park. He began his career as a writer there. He wrote many articles for popular magazines. These included Household Words and Chambers's Journal.
In 1858, he moved to Edinburgh to help edit Chambers's Journal. By 1860, he became the main editor. He did a great job for 15 years. During this time, he also moved to London in 1861.
Popular Novels and Magazine Work
While editing Chambers's Journal, Payn published his most famous story. It was called Lost Sir Massingberd and came out in 1864. After this, he focused on writing many novels. Some of his well-known books include:
- Richard Arbour or the Family Scapegrace (1861)
- Married Beneath Him (1865)
- By Proxy (1878)
- The Canon's Ward (1883)
- The Heir of the Ages (1886)
In 1883, James Payn took over from Sir Leslie Stephen as editor of the Cornhill Magazine. He continued in this role until 1896, when his health declined. He also worked as a literary advisor for a publishing company called Smith, Elder & Company.
Other Writings and Legacy
Besides novels, Payn wrote other books. He published a guide called Handbook to the English Lakes in 1859. He also wrote several collections of essays. These included Maxims by a Man of the World (1869) and Some Literary Recollections (1884).
After he passed away, a book called The Backwater of Life was published in 1899. This book showed a lot about his kind and thoughtful personality. It contained his reflections on everyday topics. James Payn died in London on March 25, 1898. Sir Leslie Stephen wrote an introduction for The Backwater of Life, sharing more about Payn's life.
Selected Works
James Payn was a very busy writer. He wrote many articles, short stories, and novels throughout his life. Here are some examples of his published works:
Novels
- Lost Sir Massingberd, 1864
- Married Beneath Him, 1865
- By Proxy, 1878
- The Canon's Ward, 1884
- The Talk of the Town, 1885
- The Heir of the Ages, 1886
- The Burnt Million, 1890
Non-fiction
- Some Literary Recollections, 1884
